The Planning Problem

The Planning Problem

Simple problem, difficult answer We haven’t been building enough. Although it’s not the only culprit behind outrageous house prices, it’s the most conspicuous one. Sort out house prices, and a lot of other things go some way to sorting themselves out.We also have an issue with failing infrastructure and apparent inability to build more without astonishing cost and time and incredible piles of paperwork. These are related in one single problem: planning is a broken process. It’s a simple problem…

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Losing your marbles

Losing your marbles

As the old joke goes the only reason the Pyramids are still in Egypt is that they were too heavy for the British to steal. Quite rightly Brits don’t want to handle stolen goods. TSE

A game changer or a QTWTAIN?

A game changer or a QTWTAIN?

If Musk via his companies makes permissible donations to Farage’s party to the value reported then would be a game changer in some respects. Whilst there are spending limits during election periods, outside that a £100 million donation would help Reform to target voters and make their vote more efficient. As Kamala Harris can attest there’s not automaticity that outspending your opponents leads you to winning the election. I also expect a foreigner trying to impact a general election will…

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Defence of the realm

Defence of the realm

One thing that could allow Starmer to break his election promises about tax rises on income tax and other certain taxes would be increased defence spending due to the actions of the Russian bear and the rhetoric of the incoming US President. If you’re worried about nuclear war then I suggest you watch the 1984 film Threads which is currently available to watch on the BBC iPlayer, click this link here. TSE

Guest slot from Moonrabbit

Guest slot from Moonrabbit

After much political drama these past years, now elections are out the way, isn’t it time for a dose of honesty, not just between us, but even to ourselves? And as much as it is fun seeing cocky Labour find every week is long and hard in government, and I’ve enjoyed rubbing it in alongside a great many other PB posters, I have decided that to be taken seriously, the best thing is to be more honest about it now….

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Will Elon Musk be proven right?

Will Elon Musk be proven right?

If you think Elon Musk will be proven right then you might want to get over to Betfair and back Reform to win the most seats at the next election. This isn’t a market I am dabbling in for the time being. The Ayrshire hotelier’s plans for tariffs will bugger up the UK economy and whilst a Labour Prime Minister would be correct in this instance to say ‘it started in America’ that will not be much comfort for voters…

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Hell

Hell

INTRODUCTION A few days ago Cyclefree wrote an article on the assisted dying bill. I promised I’d reply but when I came to write it my mind moved to points orthogonal to a simple point-counterpoint and my article took on a life of its own. Consequently I present it to you here, not in an attempt to provide answers but pose questions, which I hope you will consider. RELIGION We speak rarely of religion in these secular times, but I…

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Following in Ted Heath’s footsteps

Following in Ted Heath’s footsteps

It is a personal bugbear of mine that there are too many councils and there should be more unitary councils, thankfully Sir Keir Starmer is listening to me with the biggest local government reform since Ted Heath was Prime Minister. The Times are reporting that Dozens of councils will be abolished in the biggest overhaul of local government in more than 50 years under plans being drawn up by ministers. Essex, Kent, Surrey and Hertfordshire will be among the counties…

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